Elite Anamorphic Mkv

1. Overview

The Elite Anamorphic MKV 50mm is a 2x anamorphic prime lens of Russian origin, manufactured by JSC Optica-Elite from 1993 onwards. It belongs to a lens series originally developed for the Soviet-Russian film market and is now primarily available internationally through specialized rental houses.

2. Characteristics

Flare characteristics according to the CINEFLARES datasheet:

• Types: Streak, Veiling, Oval
• Colors: White, Blue, Green, Cyan
• Intensity: Strong

Linked Pattern Entries:

• anamorphic-streak
• veiling-glare
• oval-flare

3. Creative Use

The lens delivers a classic 2x anamorphic look with distinct streak flares in white, blue, and cyan, as well as visible barrel distortion that emphasizes wide-angle effects in the 50mm range. The strong flare intensity makes it a tool that requires intentional use – uncontrolled backlight quickly results in dominant light artifacts. As a Super 35 optic with a T2.2 maximum aperture, in practice, one often works at T2.8 to T4 to balance sharpness and character. It is typically found in the indie and arthouse sectors, where the Eastern European optical character is sought after compared to smoother Western anamorphics. Specific film references cannot be definitively named.

4. Specs Overview